09/08/2014

Wilson invents a good new word...

I don't even know what these things are called that you stick your head through and have your photo taken, but Wilson insisted on having a 'proper family group portrait' taken with one we found on Swanage Pier. 

At first he wanted me to be the Fat Lady but then he thought it would be funnier if tiny little Antony was.

PS: Some time after this picture was taken, Wilson invented a name for them: he says they should be called 'Peek-a-boards' which seems quite a good idea. 

If there are enough of them about to even need a name...


08/08/2014

Swanage Pier

At long last we are actually on Swanage Pier! It's a lovely old Victorian pier in a lovely old Victorian town, very picturesque. 

Wilson wishes me to draw your attention not only to his bucket and spade but also Antony's, arranged for your admiration! Antony generously says he'll share his with Tiny Toy; given that he has 100 spades (plastic teaspoons) and 60 buckets (plastic shot-glasses) I think he should be able to spare a couple.

W is wondering whether to splash out on one of those little engraved brass plaques you can see screwed to the decking — it depends, he says, on whether he can fit everyone's name on a single plaque. 

He means everyone's name from his greatly extended family, so I think it's pretty unlikely.

For myself, I shall be happy when Antony climbs down off that railing without mishap and is safely back on the deck...


07/08/2014

Wilson sees something unusual through a telescope...

JUST as we were about to go onto Swanage Pier, Wilson spotted a coin-operated telescope. Before I could stop him he'd rushed over and popped £1 into the slot and was peering through it… at the sand. 

I asked what he was looking at and he said he thought he'd seen some sand-ants, Euroleon nostras, which he would quite like with his dinner. 

'On reflection, though,' he said, 'they look a lot bigger through the telescope than when you get them on your plate — I don't think it's worthwhile catching them. Also, they'll be all sandy, and the wings stick to your palate…'

As soon as his £1 runs out I'm going to take him by the paw and lead him straight on to the pier before he finds any other distractions!


06/08/2014

Last-minute shopping

We're on our way to Swanage Pier, but Wilson's pocket money is just begging to be spent. 

Accordingly, we stopped off for him and Antony to choose new buckets and spades, and a crabbing net from a little sea-front shop.

The problem, as always, is finding anything small enough for wee Antony, but I think he's spotted a multi-pack of plastic teaspoons and some disposable plastic shot glasses which will do nicely for his bucket and spade!


05/08/2014

ATM

One of the most important considerations for any child on holiday, I suppose, is spending money, so as soon as we had parked the car in Swanage, Wilson headed for a Cash Machine to 'get some wedge' as he picturesquely puts it.

W unfailingly forgets his PIN so always takes Antony to the ATM with him so he can whisper it in W's ear at the crucial moment. 

After a few minutes the deal was done and we were heading to the sea front, cash in paw, ready for adventure!


04/08/2014

Late breakfast...

Whenever we stay in a hotel we are always last to leave the dining room at breakfast — partly because Wilson is very hard to wake and get down to breakfast in the first place, and partly because he eats so much. He's always asking for more coffee, extra toast, a second Full English with no meat and extra everything else… 

Antony was no trouble, just filling up with honey and jam from the individual pots on the table.

When we eventually get away, we are anticipating a day of fun and adventure in Swanage!